Staff Sgt. Atkins Riddick, the assistant flight sergeant with the 319th Security Forces for Bravo Flight, was recently named Warrior of the Week at Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota.

The 28-year-old is the son of Mona and Dennis Murphy of Franklin.

Riddick’s duties include managing flight operations and training airmen on regulations and use of force during daily operations. He hopes to become an instructor for the Security Forces Academy at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas.

• From Nansemond-Suffolk Academy, the Pilot Club of Suffolk recently recognized seniors Matt Lee, Matthew Atienza, Meredith DeLuca, Janaki Barot, Jacob Todd, Kate Gallotta, Gabrielle Bishop, Bobby Lamm, Shannon McDonald and Thomas Westfall during a Salute to Youth ceremony at Lakeland High School.

Congratulations to senior Ugi Metzger for completing the Suffolk Leadership Academy.

Seniors Danielle Kerr, Breanna Barbeau, LeeAnn Wilburn and Kelly Wild were chosen for the All-Virginia Chorus in April.

Finally, senior Christine Comer made All-State Band at James Madison University. Christine also will participate in the concert band at the All-State Band Festival in Richmond from April 12-14. She is the 20th top percussionist in Virginia.

• Franklin Cooperative Ministry is always in need of donations. Executive Director Veronica Ferguson is in need of tea bags, coffee, single-serving juice containers, cold cereal, oatmeal, pork and beans, canned and dried beans, peanut butter, jelly, muffin and bread mixes, crackers, instant pudding and gelatin, bottled water, pre-packaged snacks, canned pasta, spaghetti sauce, noodles, canned fruit, packets and jars of gravy, boxes or bags of rice, and macaroni and cheese.

Other items needed include toilet paper, cleaning supplies, dish and laundry detergent, diapers, baby wipes and hygiene items.

Out-of-date foods cannot be accepted.

Drop off items at 511 N. Main St., Franklin, next to the post office.

• Author Silas House will receive Chowan University‘s Mary Frances Hobson Prize for Distinguished Achievement in Arts and Letters on Monday, April 2. The annual award recognizes a noted author from the region.

A Kentucky native, House has written four novels, two plays, a creative nonfiction book, and numerous poems, songs and short stories. Many of his works are set in the eastern Appalachian-countryside of Kentucky in contemporary times and introduce nature, kinship, place, love, home, spirituality, tradition and music.

GWEN ALBERS is managing editor of The Tidewater News. Her email address is gwen.albers@tidewaternews.com.